Mengal announces Quetta long march as protests grow over BYC arrests

Balochistan National Party (BNP) chief Sardar Akhtar Jan Mengal has announced the participants of his ongoing sit-in in Mastung will leave for Quetta on April 6 at 9:00 a.m. as protests continue over the detention of human rights activist Dr. Mahrang Baloch and other members of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC).

Mengal criticized the government, saying authorities were not listening to their demands. “The talks will now take place in Quetta,” he said in a statement shared on social media on Thursday, adding that if the government blocked long march participants, they would stage a sit-in on the spot.

Mengal’s party has been holding demonstrations in Pakistan’s southwestern province, demanding the immediate release of detained activists. The protests, centered in Balochistan’s Mastung district, have drawn attention to long-standing tensions in the province, where separatist movements and human rights concerns have persisted for decades.

BNP leaders have held multiple rounds of talks with government representatives, but no breakthrough has been reached. Mengal has maintained that the release of detained activists remains a non-negotiable demand.

Supporters gather during a protest rally near Lakpass Tunnel, Balochistan, demanding the release of detained activists, March 31, 2025.MediaCellBNP_ / X

The protests have received political support from Pakistan’s main opposition party, PTI, whose leaders Salman Akram Raja and Latif Khosa recently visited the demonstration site to express solidarity.

Meanwhile, reports have surfaced of a communication blackout in Balochistan, with mobile networks and home WiFi services being disrupted. Mengal accused the authorities of attempting to suppress the movement.

“No matter how many phones you disconnect, how many Baloch you abduct, or how many of us you imprison—we will continue to raise our voices,” he posted on social media.

Sammi Baloch released, vows to continue struggle

Amid the ongoing standoff, Sammi Deen Baloch, one of the detained BYC activists, was released on Wednesday. In a statement on social media, she thanked activists, lawyers, journalists, and politicians for their support.

“I am deeply grateful to Akhtar Mengal for his unwavering support and relentless efforts. He has stood by us with courage and remains fully committed to the struggle for the release of all arrested BYC leaders and workers,” she wrote.

She also reaffirmed the peaceful nature of the movement, stating, “Our struggle must continue until all BYC leaders and workers are freed. Our movement has always been peaceful and will remain so. May this peaceful struggle flourish as we continue to fight for our rights, justice, and the release of all those who have been forcibly disappeared.”